Forever Entwined

Baubles and Balls

The next morning, Nix woke to find Cass still holding her. It was their first night sleeping in since their honeymoon by the beach, and the comforting weight of him beside her was a welcome change.

"Morning," Cass yawned, his arms tightening around Nix's waist.

"Aren't you busy? Don't you have meetings and such?" Nix wondered aloud.

"They can wait, even if it's just for today," Cass murmured, nuzzling the nape of her neck, which made Nix giggle.

"I think we should do this more often," he mumbled against her soft skin.

"I've missed you," Nix admitted, a touch of vulnerability in her voice.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, for the first month, I got so used to having you with me all the time. Then, all of a sudden, you were only available to come to bed and f**k me every two to four days," Nix stated matter-of-factly.

"I..." Cass hadn't considered it from her perspective before. It was simply the pattern he'd observed in his parents' marriage and among other high fae couples at court. A wave of guilt washed over him. He'd vowed to right his father's wrongs and improve the kingdom, yet he couldn't even maintain a fulfilling relationship with his own mate. "I didn't see it like that. It's just how things were for my parents and most other high fae couples."

"Well, it doesn't work for me," Nix shrugged, unsure how to proceed with the delicate conversation.

"I'll try to make more time for you," Cass promised, kissing her shoulder. He couldn't help the stirring in his blood; her scent alone was enough to arouse him, let alone the fact that they were finally alone and in bed. "How about we just enjoy the moment?" he murmured, watching as she rose from the bed. Clad in nothing but a sheer nightgown, she bent over at her vanity to reach for her hairbrush.

Taking the opportunity, Cass followed, pressing his already hard c**k against her entrance from behind.

"Mmm," Nix bit her lip, glancing back at Cass through the mirror. She watched as he licked his fingers before slowly inserting them into her slickness, massaging her from the inside. Moans and whimpers escaped her lips until she was sopping wet and shaking. "f**k me, Cass!" she pleaded.

He obliged instantly, slamming into her from behind. Her full breasts pressed against the cool hardwood of the vanity, tipping over perfume bottles and sending powdered cosmetics tumbling to the floor. The guards outside Nix's chambers exchanged knowing smirks, easily hearing her muffled cries of pleasure.

"You're so f*****g tight!" Cass grunted as he rammed into her dripping cunt.

"I guess you haven't been using me enough," Nix panted, her eyes rolling back as she spasmed with pleasure just before Cass finished. This time, however, he pulled out and came across her ass.

"Oh," Nix turned to look at him, a question in her eyes.

"I figured, since you don't want a baby and you've got no tea at the moment," Cass shrugged, matter-of-fact.

Nix nodded slowly, understanding dawning. "How about we have a bath together now?" she offered, moving to turn on the water.

Cass followed her. "As much as I'd truly love to, it's nearly midday, and there's only so long I can hold off reality. Have a bath, my love." He kissed her forehead.

"I'll see you tonight at dinner?" Nix asked.

"Yes, and I'll work on getting you that tea," he nodded before leaving her chambers for his own.

"So, how'd it go?" Millie asked later that day as they strolled through the manicured gardens.

"Good, I think," Nix tilted her head away from her friend, a blush creeping up her neck.

"I may be his sister, but I am also your friend. I will not be deterred by a lack of details," Millie added with a knowing smile.

"We had s*x again, but he didn't..." Nix glanced around to ensure their privacy. "He didn't finish inside me."

"But will he get you the tea?" Millie worried, hesitant to burden her young friend with the knowledge that pregnancy was still possible even without intentional insemination.

"He said he'll work on it," Nix sighed, the underlying anxiety about the tea beginning to dim her earlier happiness.

Noticing her friend's shift in mood, Millie decided to distract her. "I was wondering, now that the masquerade ball has passed, we should plan another. But this time, you should come up with the theme."

Nix pondered for a moment. "What about a garden party? Where the females dress up as their favorite flowers?"

"What's your favorite?" Millie inquired.

"Mm, I really love lily of the valley," Nix mused.

"I'm quite basic, I must admit. My pick is a rose, but yellow, not red."

"I would've thought you a sunflower kind of fae," Nix giggled.

"Oh, hush," Millie rolled her eyes just before they adopted the polite, regal demeanor expected of them as a group of high fae lords' wives strolled past, their gazes lingering on the queen and her sister-in-law with undisguised curiosity.

"Do they have nothing better to do?" Nixie murmured, hating the feeling of their scrutiny.

"Alas, no, but we can certainly give them something to talk about!" Millie said with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Your Majesty," a footman bowed to Nixie, presenting a golden tray with a letter.

Nix plucked the letter from its perch and broke the royal seal. She quickly scanned the words before dismissing the footman and turning to Millie. "Cass has asked me to have dinner formally with the court."

"Well, we'd better get you all dressed up. Dinner will be in about two hours," Millie declared, already envisioning the perfect gown.

"He's never invited me before. What does it mean?" Nix wondered aloud as Millie began to fuss over her wardrobe.

"It means you haven't been in a while, and he wants to make sure you'll be there today," Millie offered as a simple explanation.

"But he stopped going to the formal dinners weeks before I did. It was embarrassing being up there; I couldn't have eaten if I'd wanted to," Nix sighed, a knot of apprehension tightening in her stomach. She hoped he would be there tonight.